Main message to voters:
The decision to stand for election has been borne out of sheer frustration & anger, I have come to the conclusion that this Government is never going to truly care for it's citizens. The decision to build the New Children's Hospital at St. James's epitomises all that is wrong with our Health System.
Election history:
none
Priorities:
- Other The New Children's Hospital will be unfit-for-purpose, the lack of co-located maternity will result in the continued deaths & disability of Newborns.
- Other Because of the overspend of the NCH over 100 Health projects will be 're-profiled' eg. Tallaght CCU, CF Unit, Beaumont, Holles St relocation.
- Other 546,000 on waiting lists, 10,000 on trolleys in April, 70,000 waiting for surgery/day procedures, 100,000 awaiting SLT,OT & Physio,26 towns with no GP
Candidate positions on the election issues:
EU
Ireland should remain in the EU
Some people believe that Ireland should leave the EU, particularly in the wake of Brexit, as the UK is our most important trading partner. Others argue that EU membership continues to be beneficial for Ireland, both economically, socially, and in terms of our political influence.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Europe makes us stronger. Being part of the Eu helps us to mprove our standards of living. We are better together, left to our own devices we would be left behind . We need Europe to continue to grow and prosper as a country."
European integration has gone too far
Some people argue that the EU interferes too much in the affairs of member states, and powers should be returned to the national level. Others argue that further integration is necessary to tackle shared challenges like climate change and internet privacy rights and for economic stability.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Ireland should cooperate with other EU member states on defence
Ireland has recently joined the PESCO framework, which seeks to increase defence cooperation in the EU. It commits members to work together on military planning and to increase defence spending. It does not create an EU army, but some oppose it because they see it as a step in that direction.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We must remain neutral as we always have been peacekeepers. To do otherwise would go against everything we stand for."
If an EU member state is overwhelmed with asylum applications, other member states (including Ireland) should share the burden
There is an unequal distribution of asylum seekers across EU member states. In 2015 the EU introduced a one-off relocation scheme, moving asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy to other member states (including Ireland). Some have argued that a permanent relocation scheme should be introduced.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We must all play our part. We must remember some are fleeing the most horrific circumstances in war-torn countries. We must ensure that their paperwork is processed within 6 months &must agree that they are not held in direct prvision centres.They must be allowed to work & have access to healthcare."
Ireland should defend its low corporation tax in the face of pressure for EU harmonisation
Ireland's low corporate tax makes it an attractive location for multinationals, which are a major employer in Ireland. It has also led to accusations of Ireland being a ‘tax haven’. The European Commission has proposed harmonising corporate tax rules to create a level playing field across the EU.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We are on the periphery of Europe and need to attract investment."
Brexit
In the wake of Brexit, a referendum should be held on Irish unity
The Good Friday Agreement allows for a unification referendum (‘border poll’) in Northern Ireland and the Republic, if there is evidence that it is desired by a majority. Some have argued that, in light of Brexit, this should now be put on the agenda. Others believe that it would be divisive.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"A hard border would be a setback for the stability of the peace process. A referendum would cause further division in a deeply divided society."
Ireland should refuse to install checks on the border with Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, Ireland would have different customs and regulatory requirements to Northern Ireland. The EU may require that Ireland establish border checks with Northern Ireland to ensure the integrity of the EU’s single market.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to protect our economy from unfair competition."
Tax and Spending
Wealthy people should have to pay more tax than they do now
Some believe that there should be greater redistribution of wealth from rich to poor, achieved through taxes on income or wealth. Others believe that taxes are high enough already, and increases could be bad for the economy.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"So more services can be delivered. "
Increases in public spending should be prioritised over tax cuts
During the recession, new taxes were introduced (e.g. USC) and spending was cut on public services. Some argue that the government should now cut taxes to put money back into people’s pockets. Others argue that the priority should be to increase public spending in areas such as housing and health.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to invest in Health services and cut administratve staff and increase frontline staff. We need to address the huge housing shortage and house the 10,305 homeless on our streets."
Environment and transport
Increases to carbon tax should be opposed
Carbon tax is a tax on fossil fuels such as oil, petrol, diesel, and gas. Currently, Ireland has a carbon tax of €20 per tonne of CO2. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommends that this is gradually increased to €80 per tonne in order to reduce emissions and tackle climate change.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need carbon tax to reduce pollution. We have just declared a climate emergency and we must follow through. Families Speak Out campaign is poster free, plastic free and paperless. We must all do our bit to protect the environment."
The government should prioritise spending on public transport and cycle lanes over roads
Some argue that we need to reduce our dependence on cars, and invest in sustainable transport instead. Others argue that failing to invest in our road network will damage the economy. The current capital investment plan includes more spending on roads than on public transport and cycleways.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Every step should be taken to reduce emisssions and to combat climate change."
Social issues
More should be done to provide accommodation for Travellers, even if there is local opposition
The Department of the Environment provides funding to local authorities for Traveller accommodation (e.g. halting sites and group housing schemes), but many local authorities have been reluctant to build these sites due to local opposition, and much of the money allocated for this remains unspent.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"No ethnic minority should be discriminated against by any community. If appropriate services are provided this could work well and settled people could live beside travellers in harmony. But the correct supports and services must be in place."
There should be mandatory sentencing for violent crimes
A mandatory sentence is one which must be imposed regardless of the individual circumstances of the case. Currently, murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Ireland, and some drug trafficking and firearm offenses have mandatory sentences. For other crimes, judges have discretion on sentencing.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Initially when I read this question I answered agree. But I feel It must be left to the Judge's discretion because every case is different, one sentence doesn't fit all eg.someone may have defended themselves from an attack. However of course if the proof that a violent crime was committed I agree. "
The liberalisation of abortion in Ireland has gone too far
The legislation introduced after the 2018 referendum allows for terminations for any reason up to 12 weeks in a pregnancy. Terminations are only permitted after this date (and before the foetus becomes viable) if there is a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"I believe that everyone has the right to access the health services that they need. Bodily Autonomy is important. If Doctors do not wish to provide these services they can refer them to a doctor who will, ref Irish Times letter 19th Aril signed by 80 Doctors."
A lot more religious-run schools should become multi-denominational
96% of primary schools in Ireland are religious-run. There is an ongoing ‘divestment’ process, designed to change some schools with a religious patron (such as the Catholic Church) to become multi-denominational schools. Some schools and religious leaders oppose the plan.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We have such a diverse population that this makes sense. Also I believe that for the welfare of our children the majority of our schools should be co-educational."
International
Ireland should boycott Israeli goods produced in the occupied territories
The ‘Occupied Territories’ bill will make it an offence to import goods from an occupied territory. Supporters say this will show solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Critics say it discriminates unfairly against Israel, and threatens important economic links with the US.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Israeli's should be encouraged to leave all occupied territories, We should not support the oppression of the Palestinian people."